Word
hitching
Phoneticshitch·ing, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈhɪtʃɪŋ/
UK/hˈɪtʃɪŋ/
Definition
v. to attach one thing to another so they stay connected, like a trailer to a car. You also use it for getting a free ride from passing drivers.
v. to fasten or connect one thing to another, especially for towing or pulling. Extends to obtaining free transport by signalling to passing drivers.
Examples
“They are hitching the trailer to the car.”
“He is standing by the road, hitching a ride to the next town because he missed the bus.”
“After hitching the horses to the wagon, the farmers set out before dawn to carry their harvest to market.”
Examples
simple
“They are hitching the trailer to the car.”
contextual
“He is standing by the road, hitching a ride to the next town because he missed the bus.”
complex
“After hitching the horses to the wagon, the farmers set out before dawn to carry their harvest to market.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “hitching” in context.
Verb
01. hitch onto
“He hitched the bike rack onto the back of the van.”
verb + prep
02. hitch to
“They hitched the camper to the car early in the morning.”
verb + prep
03. hitch up
“We got up early to hitch up the horses.”
verb + particle
Adjective
04. properly hitch
“If you do not properly hitch the caravan, it could come loose.”
adv + verb
05. securely hitch
“Always securely hitch the trailer before you drive onto the motorway.”
adv + verb
Noun
06. hitch horse
“The farmer hitched the horse to the cart.”
verb + noun
07. hitch ride
“They managed to hitch a ride to the city centre.”
verb + noun
08. hitch trailer
“It took us ten minutes to hitch the trailer correctly.”
verb + noun
09. hitch a lift home
“After the match, we hitched a lift home with friends.”
10. hitch a ride to town
“We hitched a ride to town with a friendly truck driver.”
11. hitch horses to a wagon
“In the film, settlers hitch horses to a wagon.”
12. hitch up a trailer
“We hitched up a trailer and drove to the campsite.”
Usage
Often followed by 'to' for the attachment point and 'a ride' for free travel.
Real-World Examples
“This means fungal pathogens can easily hitch a ride.” “Britain had no dedicated space agency, so Pillinger proposed that Beagle 2 hitch a ride aboard Mars Express, a European Space Agency (ESA) spacecraft already scheduled to travel to the planet.” “I hitched a ride to the restaurant in her car and we were practically married by the time we arrived.” “He wasn’t happy with how she’d been spending her time, hitch-hiking around the world with no money or sense of purpose.” Synonyms
Antonyms
Word family
VERB
NOUN
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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